Camps & Trips

ISSF in Thailand

John Monash Science School was thrilled to take part on the 16th annual ISSF 2020 Science Fair.  Kamnoetvidya Science Academy was the venue for the Science Fair.  Kamnoetvidya Science Academy (KVIS) was founded in 2013 with the vision of being a leading science high school promoting wisdom, research, and technology for the nation’s sustainable development.

Over the fair the students were a part of poster presentations, science activities and making friends from across the globe.

MWITS Thailand

Early this year, we were welcomed by Mahidol Wittayanusorn Science School in Bangkok, Thailand and felt overwhelmed by the love they gave us on our arrival. They had a huge cafeteria with cheap (and delicious) food, a building of sport facilities, guest rooms within their school just for us and many other facilities that left us awestruck. We took part in the MWITS Science Fair accompanied by other schools from Thailand and Japan, where Ron, Nikita and Steph presented their project on “The Effect on Yakult When Stored at Different Temperatures” which they did a fantastic job at presenting. 

We also visited many attractions like The Grand Palace, Floating Market and IconSiam. We made so many unforgettable memories - while also learning about Thai culture. By the end of our trip, we had made long-lasting friendships that we all knew would last forever. Leaving our buddies was difficult and emotional but thanks to social media we can always keep in touch with them. We would also like to thank Ms Trickett and Mr Charalambous for accompanying us!

 - Nia, Tilly, Ron, Nikita & Steph

Antarctica Flight

On Sunday February 16th, 10 students and one staff member had the incredible privilege to experience Antarctica from a Qantas 747ER which flew us over the polar wilderness; a continent of incredible beauty.

Not only did we enjoy four hours of viewing incredible characteristics of the iced continent, but we also were able to listen to talks by Antarctic expeditioners one of whom was Rachel Robertson a park ranger with Parks Victoria who lived in Antarctica for a year. Her knowledge of the continent was immense.

The students had the chance to ask questions of several physicists: one from CSIRO and several PhD students from Melbourne University who were measuring cosmic rays; a geologist also from Melbourne University who brought along a fossil of an Araucaria leaf (similar to the Wollemi Pine) that she had collected and was dated at 62 million years old. 

We flew over Australian Antarctic Territory: Casey Base, Davis Base, Mawson Base and Vostok – the place that has recorded the coldest temperature on Earth.

At the end of the fight the students were allowed an extremely rare treat: a chance to sit in the captain’s chair in the flight deck.

Truly a memorable and humbling experience to be able to participate in something so incredibly breathtaking.

 - Adriana Abels

Year 10 Camp

As a welcome to the 2020 cohort of New Year 10 students, John Monash Science School hosted an Orientation Camp for three days at Monash University. This event got us to engage with each other and get comfortable with the idea of starting fresh at a new school. We took part in sports activities, which allowed us to work collaboratively and increase our team-building skills with our fellow, diverse-minded classmates. 

Personally, getting to know the cohort that I am going to spend the rest of my high school education with, was an honourable experience that I found extremely helpful to know the environment of John Monash Science School; such as the engagement of friendly competition between the Houses through a puzzle competition. 

Year 10 Orientation Camp was an opportunity for a fresh start at JMSS, and guided us as individuals to build our vision as a community for the next three years.

 - By Ovi Ponkathirvarathan

Hi! My name is Vibha and I am one of the lucky ones from my school who was accepted into JMSS's 2020 class. I went to a rough school where you had to yell and shout if you wanted to be heard. Growing up in that environment made me assume that JMSS would be the same, but boy was I wrong. 

During the year 10 orientation camp, I met many people from all across Victoria all with the same attitude: a passion for science. Not only was I surrounded by intelligent like-minded people, I was surrounded by friendly, polite and confident new friends. Once I got to know them from doing elected sports or bush dancing, I could tell that my new classmates and I were going to have a lot of fun for the next 3 years. 

Those three days also gave me new insight of what was expected. We got to hear from current year 11's, former alumni and guest speakers giving us useful advice. During all of the presentations from teachers, I learned about the many opportunities available to me. 

I enjoyed my orientation camp and am looking forward to my next 3 year's of high school. 

 - By Vibha Srinivasan 

Year 12 Camp

Year 12 camp was three of the most unforgettable days that we will all cherish. From stand up paddle boarding, swimming in the ocean on freezing cold days, to hiding in man-sized holes that we had to dig in the sand at the beach, we were all given the opportunity to relax and spend time away from the studies that year 12 holds. Despite the cold weather, we did not fail to give everything a go, work as a team and support each other in all the things that we did. I will always remember the way that everyone cheered and encouraged each other as we were challenged and forced out of our comfort zones.

Few of the highlights that I will never forget; the 6am morning beach walks(or swims for some of us) as we watched the sunrise, the annual Red Face competition where everyone performed a skit, got ‘gonged’ by Mr Thompson and his pan and the collective cheering and singing from all of us which at one point had the neighbours complaining about the noise. 

I can undoubtedly say that all of us as a cohort have come out of this closer than ever. We have all strengthened our relationships with each other and our teachers and have become a tight knit group who, together, are ready to embark on our final year of schooling. 

One thing that will resonate with all of us as we experience the highs and lows of year 12 are Mr Corkill’s words in his last address to the group, “This year group has the potential to become the best cohort that has ever graduated from JMSS.” Seeing the support that everyone showed at camp and the genuine care that we all have for each other, this is not far from reach. Speaking on behalf of all of us, I can assuredly say that Class of 2020 is ready to take on this year and work together to make our last year of schooling one we all will never forget. 

 - By Dinara Fonseka